May '17
Just as the title suggests, list some of your favorite vampire movies.
For me, it seems that like the zombie sub-genre - the vampire sub-genre has become exhausted. I feel vampire movies are dime a dozen and offer little in the way of originality and imagination so it is always refreshing to me to see a vampire flick that attempts to bring new ideas into the exhausted sub-genre.
I will list my top 10 favorite vampire movies. My list is quite irregular and you could say unusual. In order:
The Addiction (1995): Extremely orginal take on the vampire tale about a philosophy grad student that turns into a vampire after getting bitten. There is a lot of reflective musings as she comes to terms with her new affliction. It is riddled with metaphors about addiction, redemption etc. A highly moody piece of filmmaking that is so disturbing and realistic, that it almost feels like a documentary at times. My favorite vampire flick. 9
They Have Changed Their Face (1971): It is an obvious allegory to capitalism, with the most affluent portrayed as "vampires" who appear to feed off consumerism, hence why They Have Changed Their Face. It is a biting and satirical moody piece, but above all, it is really good and at just 285 votes-it is shockingly unknown to the masses. 9
Martin (1978): I truly believe that Martin is one of horror's greatest character studies! It is not your traditional vampire flick in the sense that this one is about vampirism as a disease. There is a lot of social commentary here and I just adore it. 9
Blood & Donuts (1995): I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of these horror comedy but Blood & Donuts is an exception to the rule. One of the most sympathetic vampires you will ever see. It is unusual to that of other vampire flicks in that it is a canvas for loneliness, friendship, and belonging. It is sad, funny and philosophical in equal measure. The cinematography is top-notch and the music score is fantastic. 9
Nadja (1994): The modern vampire subgenre in my opinion works best in real harsh urban environments, with limited action scenes, that relies more on existentialism and companionship. Nadja was one of a raft of such vampire flicks of the 90s. Cinematographed in glorious black-and-white and offers a dreamy atmosphere mkes this a must-see. 8
Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary (1975): This is another vampire flick that deals with vampirism as a disease. I don't think I have ever seen such a horror film where the protagonist was so vulnerable, so lonely. There are beautiful scenes of beaches, villas and museums that never fails to lure the viewers interest. Excellent character study where the protagonist has a disease to drink blood. 8
Dance of the Damned (1989): Ultra-obscure vampire flick that is a cut about other vampire flicks. It is about a stripper who contemplates suicide until she meets a vampire. It is essentialy a dialogue-driven horror drama that is touching, thoughtful & reflective. 8
Habit (1995): Yet another modern urban vampire tale. I like to consider Habit a part of an unofficial trilogy with The Addiction and Nadja. It is highly metaphorical and existential and oh so realistic which makes it even the more painful. It is a nicely made little film. 8
The Night of the Devils (1972): An excellent obscure involving a family that are afflicted by a centuries old curse by a vampire. The gorgeous cinematography is helped by the unsettling atmosphere. It is also a refreshing take on the sub-genre. 8
Thirst (1979): A brilliant take on the vampire sub-genre about a cult of self-proclaimed supermen who achieve this state of superiority by drinking blood from people who they keep on a farm. I like how the combined modern technology and vampirism with an eerie, surreal direction. 8
What vampire movies do you consider your favorites?
For me, it seems that like the zombie sub-genre - the vampire sub-genre has become exhausted. I feel vampire movies are dime a dozen and offer little in the way of originality and imagination so it is always refreshing to me to see a vampire flick that attempts to bring new ideas into the exhausted sub-genre.
I will list my top 10 favorite vampire movies. My list is quite irregular and you could say unusual. In order:
The Addiction (1995): Extremely orginal take on the vampire tale about a philosophy grad student that turns into a vampire after getting bitten. There is a lot of reflective musings as she comes to terms with her new affliction. It is riddled with metaphors about addiction, redemption etc. A highly moody piece of filmmaking that is so disturbing and realistic, that it almost feels like a documentary at times. My favorite vampire flick. 9
They Have Changed Their Face (1971): It is an obvious allegory to capitalism, with the most affluent portrayed as "vampires" who appear to feed off consumerism, hence why They Have Changed Their Face. It is a biting and satirical moody piece, but above all, it is really good and at just 285 votes-it is shockingly unknown to the masses. 9
Martin (1978): I truly believe that Martin is one of horror's greatest character studies! It is not your traditional vampire flick in the sense that this one is about vampirism as a disease. There is a lot of social commentary here and I just adore it. 9
Blood & Donuts (1995): I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of these horror comedy but Blood & Donuts is an exception to the rule. One of the most sympathetic vampires you will ever see. It is unusual to that of other vampire flicks in that it is a canvas for loneliness, friendship, and belonging. It is sad, funny and philosophical in equal measure. The cinematography is top-notch and the music score is fantastic. 9
Nadja (1994): The modern vampire subgenre in my opinion works best in real harsh urban environments, with limited action scenes, that relies more on existentialism and companionship. Nadja was one of a raft of such vampire flicks of the 90s. Cinematographed in glorious black-and-white and offers a dreamy atmosphere mkes this a must-see. 8
Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary (1975): This is another vampire flick that deals with vampirism as a disease. I don't think I have ever seen such a horror film where the protagonist was so vulnerable, so lonely. There are beautiful scenes of beaches, villas and museums that never fails to lure the viewers interest. Excellent character study where the protagonist has a disease to drink blood. 8
Dance of the Damned (1989): Ultra-obscure vampire flick that is a cut about other vampire flicks. It is about a stripper who contemplates suicide until she meets a vampire. It is essentialy a dialogue-driven horror drama that is touching, thoughtful & reflective. 8
Habit (1995): Yet another modern urban vampire tale. I like to consider Habit a part of an unofficial trilogy with The Addiction and Nadja. It is highly metaphorical and existential and oh so realistic which makes it even the more painful. It is a nicely made little film. 8
The Night of the Devils (1972): An excellent obscure involving a family that are afflicted by a centuries old curse by a vampire. The gorgeous cinematography is helped by the unsettling atmosphere. It is also a refreshing take on the sub-genre. 8
Thirst (1979): A brilliant take on the vampire sub-genre about a cult of self-proclaimed supermen who achieve this state of superiority by drinking blood from people who they keep on a farm. I like how the combined modern technology and vampirism with an eerie, surreal direction. 8
What vampire movies do you consider your favorites?
I'll always throw out both Count Yorga, Vampire (1970) and The Return of Count Yorga (1971), which use the basic vampire rules, but these movies are like moodier versions of Hammer films, set in modern day. It's old school vampire horror.
Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter (1974), an adventurous Hammer flick in which vampires drained the youth from their victims. Horst Janson is bad-ass as the captain, and his love interest was played by Caroline Munro (I met her!). I first saw this on AMC when I was a kid, and it stuck with me.